Cushion system for chairs

ABSTRACT

A chair comprising a seat part and a back part. A cushion support system is provided and has at least one support cushion pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of the back part. The support cushion is pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position. A securing element secures the support cushion to the back part in the upright position. The support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the support cushion rests upon a corresponding armrest, in the lowered position. The chair can be preferably used for nursing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cushions, more specifically to a cushion system for a chair to aid in the nursing of an infant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many chairs, cushions and support means are disclosed in the art to aid with all aspects of maternity needs. These vary from rocking chairs, recliners, boosters, and other means that offer varying levels of support to a person holding and nursing an infant.

One example of such a nursing chair is disclosed in DE20115256 which describes a chair with a back part that is swivel-mounted to the rear of a seat part, wherein adjustable straps are attached laterally to the top area of the back, rear and front of the seat and are joined to a retaining surface or device in order to facilitate a swinging motion.

Furthermore, many seats are also described that feature a moveable armrest. One such chair is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,839 which discloses a reclining seat with a moveable armrest wherein the armrest, when in an upright non-use position, is found along the back portion of the seat and may serve as part of the seat back.

Other forms of support for seats are described with moveable armrests for use in motor vehicles. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,503 describes such a feature for an armrest.

More specific to the field of maternity chairs, certain nursing chairs and cushions have been described in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 355,230 discloses a cushion to support a nursing infant. The person nursing the child sits in the chair and brings the couch to her front by adjusting the height of the couch by a thumbscrew. The nursing child can lie on the couch and can nurse by reversing the couch on its pivot.

Furthermore, US20060055215 discloses an arm support cushion attachable to an armrest of a chair where the cushion elevates and supports the arm of a person desiring to nurse an infant.

However, there is presently a need for nursing cushion system which can be easily stored in a chair and pulled out when needed, thereby doubling as a regular chair, without needing several parts or without needing too much preparation or assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a chair that satisfies at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

According to the present invention, that object is accomplished with a chair comprising:

-   -   a seat part with a seat cushion;     -   a back part with a back cushion, having an upper portion and a         lower portion;     -   a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion         pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of         the back part, said at least one support cushion pivotable         between an upright position and a lowered position;     -   a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion         to the back part in the upright position; and     -   at least one armrest;

wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the at least one support cushion rests upon the corresponding at least one armrest, in the lowered position.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a chair comprising:

-   -   a seat part;     -   a back part with a back cushion;     -   a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion         removably connected to the chair, said at least one support         cushion reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration         and a detached use configuration; and     -   a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion         to the back part in the upright configuration;

wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright configuration, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface.

A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a chair according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 where a first support cushion is in the lowered position.

FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 where a second support cushion is in the lowered position.

FIG. 4 is another font perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 where both support cushions are in the lowered position.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view the chair of FIG. 1 illustrating a gripping system for gripping and pulling the cushion from the upright position to the lowered position.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 illustrating the headrest cushion shaped to hide the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the chair of FIG. 1 illustrating a transition of a support cushion between the upright position and the lowered position.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are two front views and one partially cut side view respectively of a chair according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are a front view and one partially cut side view respectively of a chair according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A to 10C are two front views and one partially cut side view respectively of a chair according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A to 11C are two front views and one partially cut side view respectively of a chair according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 12A to 12C are two front views and one partially cut side view respectively of a chair according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a chair 10 which comprises a seat part 12, and a back part 18, having an upper portion 14 and a lower portion 16. The back part 18 of the chair 10 comprises at least one back cushion 20 and a cushion support system 22.

As it can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 7, the cushion support system 22 of the present invention comprises at least one support cushion 24 pivotably connected to the chair 10 proximate the lower portion 16 of the back part 18. This at least one support cushion 24 is pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position and is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion 20 and form together a substantially even back surface when in the upright position.

The cushion support system further comprises a securing element 26 for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright position.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the chair of the present invention also comprises at least one armrest 28, wherein the at least one support cushion 24 rests upon the corresponding at least one armrest 28, when in the lowered position.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the securing element 26 of the present invention comprises at least one strap with a fastening system selected from the group comprising button snaps, hook systems, magnet systems, loop systems, hook and loop fasteners or any other fastening system that can preferably be manipulated by a single hand of the user to be unfastened.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cushion support system 22 is preferably comprised of a first and a second support cushion 24 located on either side of the back cushion and which can rest against a corresponding first and second armrest 28.

Preferably, the cushion support system 22 is connected to the chair 10 through a snapped strap system.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, the cushion support system of the present invention further comprises a gripping element 30 allowing a person seated in the chair to grip and pull the at least one support cushion 24 to transition it between the upright and the lowered position. Preferably, this gripping element 30 consists of a loop or a handle.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the chair 10 further comprises a headrest cushion 32 shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.

Preferably, as shown in FIG. 6, the headrest cushion 32 is shaped to hide the securing element 26 from view when the at least one support cushion 24 is secured in the upright position.

FIG. 7 illustrates how a user can transition a support cushion 24 between an upright and lowered position by pulling on the gripping element 30.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one support cushion is simply removably connected to the chair, and reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration and a detached use configuration. The securing element is then used for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright configuration. In this embodiment, the support cushion is not limited for use on the armrest, but rather can be used in a variety of configurations. For example, the support cushion can be used on the user's lap or any other convenient position for the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the securing element is a hook and loop fastening interface.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support cushion is a removable headrest cushion.

FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The securing element, such as a hook and loop fastening or magnet system, or any other type of fastening system, may be visible or not. The back part remains usable and comfortable even when the support cushions are lowered.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support cushions 24 can be completely detached from the chair for use. The securing element 26 can be a hook and loop fastening system or any other equivalent system.

FIGS. 10A to 10C illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the support cushion 24 is generally U-shaped and can be completely detached from the chair for use. Once again, the back part remains usable and comfortable even when the support cushion is lowered or detached.

FIGS. 11A to 11C illustrate another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the support cushion 24 is a headrest and can be completely detached from the chair for use.

FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the support cushion 24 is once again a headrest and can be completely detached from the chair for use. When installed on the back part 18, the headrest covers the top portion of the back part. Once again, the back part remains usable and comfortable even when the headrest cushion is detached.

Other similar variations of different support cushions as described above can be used.

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it should be pointed out that any modifications to these preferred embodiments within the scope of the appended claims is not deemed to alter or change the nature and scope of the present invention. 

1. A chair comprising: a seat part with a seat cushion; a back part with a back cushion, having an upper portion and a lower portion; a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion pivotably connected to the chair proximate the lower portion of the back part, said at least one support cushion pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position; a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright position; and at least one armrest; wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright position, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface, and the at least one support cushion rests upon the corresponding at least one armrest, in the lowered position.
 2. The chair of claim 1, wherein the securing element comprises at least one strap with a fastening system selected from the group comprising button snaps, hook systems, magnet systems, loop systems, and hook and loop fasteners.
 3. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system comprises a first and a second support cushion located on either side of the back cushion and the chair comprises a corresponding first and second armrest.
 4. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
 5. The chair of claim 1, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
 6. The chair of claim 5, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
 7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the cushion support system further comprises a gripping element to facilitate a transition of the support cushion between the upright and the lowered position.
 8. The chair of claim 7, wherein the gripping element selected from a group comprising a loop and a handle.
 9. The chair of claim 2, wherein the cushion support system comprises a first and a second support cushion located on either side of the back cushion and the chair comprises a corresponding first and second armrest.
 10. The chair of claim 2, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
 11. The chair of claim 2, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
 12. The chair of claim 11, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
 13. The chair of claim 3, wherein the cushion support system is connected to the chair with a snapped strap system.
 14. The chair of claim 3, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
 15. The chair of claim 14, wherein the headrest cushion is shaped to dissimulate the securing element from view when the at least one support cushion is secured in the upright position.
 16. The chair of claim 13, further comprising a headrest cushion shaped to cover an upper portion of the back cushion and removably cover an upper portion of the at least one support cushion when the at least one support cushion is in the upright position.
 17. A chair comprising: a seat part; a back part with a back cushion; a cushion support system comprising at least one support cushion removably connected to the chair, said at least one support cushion reconfigurable between an upright attached configuration and a detached use configuration; and a securing element for securing the at least one support cushion to the back part in the upright configuration; wherein the at least one support cushion, in the upright configuration, is shaped to complement a shape of the back cushion and form together a substantially even back surface.
 18. The chair of claim 17, wherein the securing element is a fastening system selected from the group comprising button snaps, hook systems, magnet systems, loop systems, and hook and loop fasteners.
 19. The chair of claim 17, wherein the at least one support cushion is a headrest cushion. 